We were lucky to catch up with Kerry Huff recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kerry, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

My background has always been hospitality. I met Pete Richardson, my business partner, about 20 years ago. We became friends and worked together in the restaurant industry years prior. We remained associates over the years. I was working as a receiver in a Grocery Store chain and Pete came to me wanting some help due to staffing issues I told him I didn’t think I wanted to get back in the Restaurant Business, he asked me for 3 years in a row… I had some issues to come up in my life and wanted a change. This time his wife, Tami Richardson, came to me and I said I’d think about it… August 2021 I became the General Manager of Lake Gaston Pizza & More. This is by far the best decision I’ve made, and the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me, to give me an opportunity to be me and do something I love….

Kerry, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Kerry Huff born and raised on Lake Gaston, small town of Henrico, NC. Southern man that loves his community and those that visit… Always thought of myself as a Jack of many trades, master of taking care of people… At a young age I was always in management positions from Inventory Companies, small Restaurant Chains, Construction companies, and Grocery Stores, and I also was a Bartender for a few years, that’s how I met Pete… Once coming to Lake Gaston Pizza & More, I brought the southern hospitality and friendly atmosphere to a place that was already wonderful itself… My knowledge of food and what the locals wanted, allowed Pete and I to create special menu items you couldn’t find anywhere around here… He’s the Chef and I’m the face of the community… Now we do Comedy Shows once a month… Every Labor day, Pete helps with what we call Lake-a-poloza, with Wobble Island Inc, a Non profit organization that supports the local EMS, Fire Department, and First responders in our community. We also sponsor a Toy Drive during the Christmas season in support of the DSS and CPS of two local counties in our area. We are always coming up with new Ideas to help out the community…

We have over 50 menu items from wings, sandwiches, pizzas, desserts, and our monthly specials… We even serve Sushi twice a month in a little ole Pizza Restaurant… Specializing in the “& More” part…

Any advice for managing a team?

One thing I found to help me manage people is putting God first…

In this busy and technical world we live in, I find that taking it back to the basics is the best way of managing people!

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you… We all don’t believe the same but we all can treat people with respect and Love… I manage the way I’d want someone to manage me…

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

We have many social media platforms. We try our best to acknowledge all reviews, good or bad. We find that when you take what the customers and associates are saying and Listen and Respond to both sides of the Scale, you tend to balance the work flow with great customer service and the co-workers respond with great vibes because we make them feel like part of the solution to any problems… Loyal employees create loyal customers…

Contact Info:

• Website: lakegastonpizza.com
• Facebook: Lake Gaston Pizza & More
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
Lake Gaston Pizza & More Staff Customers Myself and Tami Richardson